Payam Javan: A legal battle is unfolding as Students for Fair Admissions (SFA) sues the U.S. Naval Academy over alleged consideration of an applicant’s race in admissions.

SFA, which previously won a Supreme Court case against Harvard and UNC challenging affirmative action, argues that the Naval Academy has no justification for race-based admissions. While the Supreme Court’s previous decision didn’t cover military academies, SFA contends that the practice was ruled unconstitutional elsewhere and challenges the Naval Academy to prove an exception.

The lawsuit invokes the Fifth Amendment, claiming violation of equal protection principles.

The Department of Defense and top military officials are named as defendants. The Naval Academy, admitting fewer than 10% of applicants, maintains a holistic evaluation, including race.

The lawsuit puts the academy’s admissions practices to the test amid broader debates on affirmative action in educational institutions.